Received:
6 June 2006/Accepted: 20
September 2006/Published: 25
September 2006

Abstract:
Ti0.8Sn0.2O2-Titanium
tin oxide (TTO) compound was prepared by using mechanochemical processing. AR
grade TiCl3.2H2O (0.8 M) and SnCl4.5H2O
(0.2 M) were mixed followed by calcination and ball milling. As prepared TTO was
then used as starting material to fabricate the sensors in thick film form.
Thick films were prepared by screen-printing technology on glass substrate. The
dipping technique was used to obtain surface-cupricated TTO films in which
copper was incorporated as additive. The thick films so obtained were fired at
550oC. The characterization of the films was done by X-ray
diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The gas response
measurements were carried out as function of operating temperature (200-4000C)
for different gases. These films were found to be most sensitive to NH3
gas. Surface cupricated film showed high gas response, fast response and quick
recovery to NH3 gas. The result indicated that Cu modification would
be responsible for improving stability and gas response of the sensor. The film
dipped for 10 minute was observed to be most sensitive to NH3 gas at
an operating temperature 300oC.